Rotherham United: New boy Shinnie relishing Millers chance

Paul Davis

New boy Andrew Shinnie wants to put six months of frustration behind him as he looks forward to his Rotherham United debut.

The attacking midfielder has joined the Millers on loan until the end of the season and will go straight into the squad for the Championship clash at home to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The 26-year-old stood out for parent club Birmingham City at AESSEAL New York Stadium last season but has found his playing time limited this term, making only five starts in his 17 appearances.

“It’s been a frustrating season with the lack of action,” he said. “When this option came up, I was delighted and I was hoping it would get pushed through. I’m glad to be here and I’m looking forward to it.”

Scot Shinnie, who began his career at Glasgow Rangers where he was a teammate of Rotherham centre-half Kirk Broadfoot, is hoping his flair in the opposition half will help the Millers stay away from the drop zone.

“I like to play as a number 10, attacking midfield,” he said. “I like to create things and hopefully score some goals for the team, Hopefully I can repay the manager’s faith in me and do well.

Luciano Becchio

“I thought I did well in the Championship last season and wanted to kick on this year but, for one reason or another, it hasn’t happened.”

Millers boss Neil Redfearn said: “He is someone who can play just off the front or just in behind the front. He is a real creative talent and he will give us more strings to our bow.

“He understands his position. I think he is a player who, on his day, can unlock the best defences in this division. He will be a really good acquisition for us.”

The Millers had hoped to wrap up a deal for Shinnie last week but were forced to bide their time as the Blues lined up the signing of Watford’s Diego Fabbrini before sanctioning the move,

He becomes Redfearn’s sixth signing of the transfer window after Shay Facey, Alex Cairns, Aimen Belaid, Luciano Becchio and Chris Burke. Becchio, building up his match fitness, was among the scorers on Tuesday night as Rotherham’s reserves beat Scunthorpe 3-1.

“Rotherham have been interested for quite a while,” Shinnie confirmed. “It was just a waiting game. Staying in the Championship was important. Footballing wise, I think this was the right decision for me.”

Shinnie came to prominence at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, for whom he scored 19 goals in 52 league starts, before joining Birmingham in July 2013. He has started 40 Championship matches for the Blues, scoring four goals.